Mastectomy and reconstruction are serious surgeries, and thoughts of them can be daunting, but you'll feel more in control if you know what to expect and you prepare for your hospital stay and recovery.

Life is a series of reboots. ~ Katie Couric

Take care of business

Finalize your insurance coverage or other financial arrangements for mastectomy, reconstruction and any related costs.

Notify your workplace of the time you'll be away from work and when you expect to return.

Investigate Family Medical Leave and short-term disability.

Arrange for someone to stay with you at least during the first 3 or 4 days you're home from the hospital.

Enlist family and friends to deliver meals, walk the dog, babysit the kids, mow the lawn, and help with other activities, especially during the first few days after you return home from the hospital.

List all the things that must be done; then when friends ask what they can do, you'll know what to say. (Keep a list of who does what so you can later thank people with cards, calls, or visits.)

Stash a supply of reheatable meals in the freezer.

Shop before your surgery for post-op bras, and loose and comfy camisoles and pajamas that fasten in the front, .

Fill prescriptions (your routine medications as well as prescribed post-surgery pain medications) now so you'll have them when you need them.

Think about how you'll explain your surgery and recovery to your children.

Plan to keep your kids' routines as normal as possible while you're in the hospital and recovering at home.

Take care of yourselfFatigue is a common side effect of general anesthesia, but you can help minimize its effects by improving your body's ability to recover.

Get in shape. Get some type of exercise every day. Head to the gym, take a brisk walk, do yoga, swim, or engage in whatever activities you enjoy. Try to sleep for eight hours nightly.

Quit smoking. Exposing your body to primary and secondhand smoke promotes disease. It also restricts blood vessels, which can have serious negative affects, including delayed healing, after surgery. If you smoke, you must quit a few weeks before and after your surgery (your doctor will advise what he/she thinks is best). Continuing to smoke may delay your surgery.

Prepare your mind. Studies show that people who are emotionally prepared for surgery have less pain and heal sooner. Deep breathing exercises and meditation work wonders for replacing anxious thoughts with positive affirmations. Surgery can be scary, but try to think of the best outcome, rather than the worst.